Tens of thousands are expected to gather in Scarva for the annual Sham Fight which will see a parade of more than 70 marching bands.
The mock battle and the large-scale procession through the Co Down village next Tuesday, July 14, is hosted by the Royal Black Institution’s Sir Knight Alfred Buller Memorial RBP 1000.
The Scarva-based preceptory has the honour of leading the parade, accompanied by Waringsford Pipe Band.
This year, 76 marching bands – comprising pipes, accordions, flutes, and silver – will accompany around 4,000 members of the Institution in the procession preceding the Sham Fight.
Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson said: “The procession and Sham Fight at Scarva hold a special place in the parading calendar, regularly attracting crowds of upwards of 100,000.
“The day is rooted in tradition, with preceptories carrying their wonderful banners portraying biblical scenes, and it is a unique spectacle of music and pageantry.
“Once again, the Royal Black Institution will proudly declare our stance for the Reformed Christian faith.”
John Adair is the Registrar of RBP 1000 and famous for playing King William at Scarva for more than 30 years.
He said: “The Sham Fight usually takes place on the 13th of July, but for the second year running, it will be held on the 14th, due to the 12th falling on a Sunday and the Orange Order parades taking place on the 13th.
“It is a day of music, pageantry and culture, and it is important to maintain the tradition of the Sham Fight, which is the only remaining one in Ireland, if not Europe.”
He is looking forward to “a terrific response from the spectators” when he and Colin Cairns, in the role of King James, cross swords once again, leading to an inevitable conclusion.
Colin is no stranger to Scarva, having portrayed King James “heading up to 40 years”.
“Out of it all, I’ve never won one battle,” he joked.
Andrew Boyce is the Worshipful Master of RBP 1000 and a member of Markethill Protestant Boys Flute Band.
“I’m really looking forward to it – it’s one of my favourite days on the parading calendar, especially when the weather is good,” he said.
“Last year, I walked in with the preceptory and walked out with the band, and that’s the plan for this year, too.”
A special guest at Scarva will be internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Emma Brown, who has performed at remembrance events throughout Europe.
Emma is from Nottingham, but now lives in the Netherlands, and is looking forward to returning to Scarva, where she performed in 2018 and 2019.
“I’ll be travelling with my three-year-old son, Henry,” she said. I can’t wait to introduce him to the festivities for the first time – not to mention letting him experience the warm hospitality in Northern Ireland.”
The main parade starts at 10.45am, leaving the assembly field on Gilford Road and proceeding through the village to the Demesne.
The Sham Fight will take place at 1.15pm, with the religious service due to begin at 2.15pm, and the return parade scheduled to leave the Demesne at 3.15pm.
Platform proceedings will include contributions from Rev William Anderson, Sovereign Grand Master; David Livingstone, County Grand Master, Armagh; Rev Timothy Eldon, District Chaplain, Portadown; Noel Berry, WDM, Tandragee; John Dumigan, WDM, Lower Iveagh; Niall Truesdale, WDM, Rathfriland; Trevor Holmes, WDM, Newry; and Samuel Courtney, WDM, Markethill.
Earlier in the day, as is customary, Scarva RBP 1000 officers will lay a wreath at the village war memorial to local members of the security forces murdered during the Troubles.
Meanwhile, Lurgan District is set to parade in Bangor on the same day.
Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson said it was a tradition that Lurgan RBDC No 2 travelled to Bangor for its annual parade.
“The Bangor parade complements the institution’s celebrations at Scarva and is a day for all the family to enjoy,” he said.
Andrew Hamill is Worshipful District Master of Lurgan District No 2 and a member of RBP 353.
“We are more than happy to be returning to Bangor. We always receive a warm welcome, and we are expecting a strong turnout of spectators to add to the great atmosphere,” he said.
Craigavon Protestant Boys Flute Band, who are celebrating their 60th anniversary, will accompany Morning Star RBP 399, one of 11 Lurgan preceptories in the parade.
Earlier in the day, at Brownlow House, Lurgan, the preceptory will unfurl a new bannerette.
